Shoe stretcher



Dec. 30, 1930. J. SMART 1,786,965

SHOE STRETGHER Filed Oct. 12, ,1929

I ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 30, 1930 l viJNrrse s'rarss JAMES SMART, F onLANno,frLo1iI'nA stron sr'nnronnia VApplication led October 12 The object of the invention is to provide a simple, strong and `eective device capable,

y after insertion in the shoe, or" effectively stretching the shoe laterally aswell as raising the top; to provide a construction wherein the lateral stretching may be eiected without raising the topgrto provide adjustable means for the top raising element, so that the definite movement of the latter `may attend the movement ofthe elements eiiecting the lateral stretching; and' to provide a construction wherein Athe parts may be readily disassembled without vthe necessityl for tools for so doing. V

1With this object in view, the` invention consists in a construction and combination of parts voie which a preferred embodiment is illustrated Vin the accompanying drawings, in which: Y

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention. I

Figure 2 is a top plan View with the top lifting element swung to one side.

Figures 3, i and 5 are respectively sectional views on the planes indicated by the lines 3 8, 4 4 and 5 5 of Figure 1.

The body of the stretcher simulates a last and comprises the two side sections 10 hingedly connected at the rear end, as indicated at 11, a guide opening being prepared in the-rear end of the body element,half in one section and half in the other, for the passage of the shank of the wedge operating screw 12, the latter being vprovided with a transverse handle 14 to permit it being turned.

The screw 12 is threadingly engaged with kthe globular nut 15 seated in hemispherical depressions formed in the inner faces of the two side elements 10, thisnut being provided with diametrically disposed trunnions 16 journaled in the side members.' At the forward end, the screw 12 has a swivel connection 17 with a spreader wedge 18, the latter traversing lateral recesses 19 in the side members and these recesses on the bottom walls being undercut, as indicated at 20, for the reception of pendent ribs 21 on the bottom of f the wedge.

In the operationoi1 the feed screw, the nut 5o ylosing held by engagement in the hemispherima s eprai no. 399,292,

cal recesses yand by 'its trunnions, the wedge is moved relative to the body member *and it the` direction be toward the toe, the side edges' of the wedge edects spreading action of the lateral or side members. lThe reverse movement of the screw serves to move the wedge Vin the other direction and the pendent ribs engaging the undercut portions of the recesses,- serves to draw the side members toward 'each other. Thus the body'o-the spreader asa whole is expanded laterally, after insertionin the shoe', by the movement of the wedge to eiilect the lateral 'stretching of the shoe and is easily withdrawn, after performing the" stretching operation',1by reversing the movement of the wedge through the turning of the operating screw inthe opposite directiointhus making easyT withdrawgaging the under 'face of the stretcher plate.

As vthe wedge is advanced toward the toe of the body portion, the head of the Iscrew 26, moving 1n a plane-at an acute angle to the plane oi the top of the body portion, gradually rises above the top of the body portion and, bearing' on the under face of the stretcher plate, raises the latter to lift and stretch lthe top oi the shoe. The screw, by virtue of its threads, may be raised and lowered in the wedge to determine the time `of initial engagement with the stretcher plate and tliusdetermine a'specifed stretching'operation of the latter.

The stretcher plate being pivot-ally mounted on the bodyportion, when itis desired not to lift the top of the shoe'in thestretching operation, the plate may be swung laterally to one side andthe body portion-inserted and the side elements actuated to effect the lateral stretching operaticn solely.

The parts of the device may be easily disassembled by advancing the spreader Wedge Y `toward the toe until the pendent ribs are disengaged from the undercut recesses of theA side slots. Then the tWo side elements of the body may be swung apart on their hinge connection which AWill permit the nut, the

screw and the WedgeA to be liftedout; Thus the parts may be easily reached Vfor cleaning and forreplacement When necessary.

The invention having been described, ivhat' Y' is claimed as neu7 and useful is n '1. A shoe stretcher comprising a body consisting of pivotally connected side elements,V a spreader Wedge enclosed by the'sani'e, a nut seated Vj ointly in said elements@` Wedge actuating screw threadingly engaged With the nut and havinga swivel connection'with the wedge and aV spreader *platel spanning the two side members of the bcdy the Wedge-beingprovided with an adJustableV member having a slide bearing with the under surface of said stretcher plate. A

Q. A shoe stretcher comprising a [body consistingv of pivotally connected side elements, a spreader Wedge enclosed byv the sameya nut seated jointly in said elements, a

Y Wedge actuating screw threadingly engaged with the nut and havinga 4swivel connection with the Wedge, and Aa spreader plate spanning Athe tivo side members of the body, the Wedge being provided `Witl1f an adjusting screw formed With a globular headvhaving asliding Vengagement With-the under `l'ace of said stretcher plate.

In testimony Whereofhelaixes his signature. Y 1 f, vJAMES SMART. Y 

